Cancer-Causing Hexavalent Chromium In Tap Water For 89% Of US Sampled Cities
Carcinogenic hexavalent chromium, the "Erin Brockovich chemical" was begin in the tap baptize of 31 cities out of a absolute of 35 activated by the Environmental Working Group. The scientists appraisal that at atomic 74 actor bodies in the USA in 42 states consistently alcohol chromium-tainted water, and a ample admeasurement of it is in the baleful hexavalent form.
Hexavalent chromium is accustomed as a beastly carcinogen. Some workers are apparent to the chemical, and acknowledgment is accepted to sometimes action a part of those who handle chromate-containing products, as able-bodied as those who arc bond stainless steel. The European Union has the world's strictest laws apropos hexavalent chromium. Hexavalent chromium use in the European Union in cyberbanking equipment, for example, is abundantly banned by the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive.
Highest levels of hexavalent chromium in tap baptize were begin in Norman; Oklahoma, Riverside; California, and Honolulu; Hawaii. Safety banned proposed by California regulators were exceeded in samples from 25 US cities, the scientists revealed.
Hexavalent chromium, aswell accepted as chromium-6 in bubbler baptize shows "clear affirmation of baleful activity" in beastly studies, decidedly adopting the likelihood of the development of gastrointestinal tumors.
An EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) abstract toxicological analysis this year aswell begin that tap baptize attenuated with hexavalent chromium is "likely to be baleful to humans".
A accessible bloom ambition of 0.06 ppb (parts per billion) was proposed by Californian authorities in 2009, in an attack to assure bodies from blight risk. The aim was to eventually set this absolute nationwide.
Despite growing affirmation of the dangers of hexavalent chromium in tap water, the EPA has done annihilation about acknowledged absolute requirements. Baptize account companies don't even accept to analysis for levels in their tap water.
The boilerplate hexavalent chromium levels in the activated tap baptize was 0.18 ppb, compared to the recommended 0.06 ppb.
Top 5 cities tested:
- Norman, Oklahoma, citizenry - 89,952
- Hexavalent chromium akin 12.9 ppb
- Honolulu, Hawaii: citizenry - 661,004
- Hexavalent chromium akin 2.00 ppb
- Riverside, California, citizenry - 280,832
- Hexavalent chromium akin 1.69 ppb
- Madison, Wisconsin, citizenry - 200,814
- Hexavalent chromium akin 1.58 ppb
- San Jose, California, citizenry - 979,000
- Hexavalent chromium akin 1.34 ppb
One of the samples activated by the Environmental Working Group in Norman, Oklahoma had hexavalent chromium levels 200 times college than the Californian-proposed limit.
With so abounding tens of millions of Americans apparent to hexavalent chromium on a circadian bases, the Environmental Working Group is advancement the EPA to act - to set a acknowledged absolute on chromium-6, and accomplish baptize account companies consistently analysis levels of it in their tap water.
In a communiqué, the Environmental Working Group wrote:
"The accompaniment of California have to authorize a able accepted for hexavalent chromium in tap baptize immediately. A absolutely health-protective hexavalent chromium adjustment will abate the blight accident for Californians and serve as a archetypal for the nation. With an acknowledged accepted already six years accomplished the approved borderline and the bloom of millions of Californians at stake, the accompaniment cannot move too quickly."
Click here to see a USA map assuming adulteration levels by state.
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Source: Environmental Working Group
